SOME NOTES ON COLERIDGE-TAYLOR

Abstract

T is related that Jules Massenet, on reading a copy of ColeridgeTaylor's Song of Hiawatha, and without knowing who composer was, remarked, That was written by a man of colour. Of course, the coloured races are as varied as white races, or more so; but Coleridge-Taylor was representative in many respects of vast negro race to which he more than half belonged, as well as great champion in opposition to their exclusion on mere grounds of colour from artistic circles. His birth and residence in London, doubtless helped in this latter matter. In spite of pride which he feels in history of his country, in spite of a certain arrogance arising from this, and in spite of a foolish despite of all that is outside his insular conventions, there is no one so free from actual racial prejudice as average Englishman. He will not only welcome to his country men of every race and colour, but will help them whole-heartedly even in competition against himself. Not only legally, but socially and in business, every man in England has same chance, whatever his colour or race. This is not to say there is no natural feeling of distrust and wonder at achievements of those who are of a different race. Even in great metropolis of this Empire of mixed races, in London itself, black man does not always love white, nor white man trust yellow. The difficulties he had to overcome because of his colour, therefore, were just sufficient to make achievements of Coleridge-Taylor a racial triumph, while they were not so nearly insuperable as they might have been where race feeling was keener or more bitter. Had he on other hand appeared among men of his own race and colour it is possible, even probable, that what he did in way of art would have been largely ignored and forgotten, nor would he have had same opportunity of developing his talent and its products. From every point of view London would seem to be place most propitious for appearance of such an artist, and it was here that he was born and where his first and greatest triumph as a composer was accomplished. For those who regard signs and dates as of significance it is perhaps not without interest to note that he was born on 10th